Mom dropped me off at Joseph’s a little later than we’d hoped, but after being lost for a half hour or so, we found a long driveway surmounted by the sign, “No admittance except on party business!” We knew we’d found the right place.
Joseph’s garage was adorned by a big banner stating “Happy Birthday, Bilbo!” in true Hobbit fashion. I’d never seen so many Ringers in one place, except for the Boston Exhibit! It was really thrilling. I brought my new Limited Edition FotR and the FotR Complete Soundtrack, and Joseph had fun with those.
Before long, the Tibbetts family arrived, and I spent most of the evening with Anna and Regina, and also Amelia and Rebekah, her sister.
The evening officially began at five thirty or so. We all clustered around the food tents, and after a rather amusing prayer (said with an Irish accent and asking that Bilbo have a nice birthday) we all turned at the sound of shouting in the direction of the cornfield. Suddenly, Merry and Pippin (or Michael and Benjamin) came charging out with their arms full of vegetables, closely followed by Farmer Maggot (or Joseph) wielding a very real pitchfork! The Hobbit duo jumped up on the table, grabbed pewter mugs, and began to dance and sing “Hey Ho to the Bottle I go!” to much hilarity. We made them repeat the stunt again, and then delved into dinner.
It was a potluck affair, and we had everything from Hobbitty mushroom soup to Lembas. I brought scones and fresh mushrooms, yum. The food was fabulous. During the meal, Joseph came over and helped Anna, Regina, Amelia, Bekah and I figure out the trivia. I got most of the answers, he helped with the ones I didn’t get, and then Bekah, who was cheating on my answers the whole time (), and I competed to use the Elvish clues to find the Ring. I helped her up into the Party Tree, left her there, and then dashed to the correct spot (after a little help from Farmer Maggot) and found the Ring. Had much fun being chased around by various and sundry people who wished to steal it from me, then handed it over to Joseph and joined the others to play Spud.
We did that for a while, and then graduated to Red Rover. Red Rover not being a game I’m particularly fond of, I soon quit and wandered over to find something to drink. There was a very amusing cider cooler, wrapped in brown paper with boards drawn on it- made a fine barrel.
Not long after, the rest of the group came over, and we were treated to another skit. Merry and Pippin entered the scene, again being pursued by Farmer Maggot, and after shaking him off the trail proceeded to sing the other Hobbit drinking song, which we very much enjoyed. Then it was time for cake! The Falcos had borrowed a bakery and produced the most lovely cake- it was huge and three layers, covered with strawberry and roses, and had exactly eleventy-one candles! It was delicious, too. As soon as we finished, we all began to set up a clamor- “Speech! Speech!” Joseph jumped up on a box (which was accompanied by a root beer bottle and other Hobbit accoutrements) and delivered, word for word, Bilbo’s birthday speech, from the book, of course. We all cheered at the appropriate times (“…and Proudfoots!” “Proudfeet!”), and acted confused at the infamous line, “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like half of you half as well as you deserve.” (or however it goes!) At the very end, he delivered the lines, “I bid you all a very fond farewell. I am going now. Goodbye,” fiddled around very obviously behind his back, and then with a “woosh!” jumped off his box and ran away as fast as he could. I’m sure the cheering roused the neighbors!
After that, most of the guests went back to finish the game of Red Rover. I and two others, Nick (who had very kindly given me his sweatshirt when I complained of being cold) and Joey, chose not to play, and talked under the tent instead. I found this really amusing- if you want to know more, ask me personally, but I won’t go into it all now.
Before we left, most of us went out into the cornfield once more. Joseph’s house was perfect for a Hobbit party- in the country, with trees on one side and corn on the other, and meadows covered with purple and white wildflowers. It was really beautiful- I’d never been there before. So we went out into the cornfield in the dark, some of us holding hands tightly and laughing, the younger boys trying to scare the girls with animal-like squeals and growls, and rarely succeeding. I rode home with Anna and Regina, and as Amelia lost her keys, we brought the two of them home as well. It was a nice car ride, I like them all so much.

All this to say that between the AU ball and Joseph’s party, what started as an extremely stressful and unhappy day ended as a very relaxed and enjoyable one. I had a wonderful time- and the party made me decide to reread The Hobbit, which I think I shall go do right now. Good night!

Sonja!! Said,

Hi Hannah!! Its been too long! This event sounds like too much fun to be allowed! =D I have made some really fun friends at college, who are in to good books. Its pretty fun. But I miss you and Krissy! Hope things are going amazingly for you this fall =D

Caleb Said,

Set the equation equal to zero:
2x^2+x-3=0
And then unfortunately you have to play a guessing game.
(2x-?)(x+?)=0
What two numbers multiplied together equal -3 and added together equal 1 (x)?
(2x-3)(x+1)

3x^2+17x+10=0
Know time to guess again!
(3x+?)(x+?)
What two numbers multiplied together equal 10 and added together equal 17 (x)?
(3x+2)(x+5)

I hope this helps you. I just did terrible (a low F probably) on a Calculus exam, so I am bummed. At least my first exam was an A.

Sonja!! Said,

Dearest Hannah. I’ll give you a call sometime and we can catch up. Otherwise, you can email me, and since it is fall break and I am free (!!!! yay) and I’ promise I’ll email back!! I love ya tons. =D I have made lots of awesome bookish friends, and I often think of you and Kiy when we go off on book/ classical music discussions. =D Music is such a big deal here! There are 6 really great choirs. At least half the students participate in music. And church is a really big deal too. I go to church/ chapel 8 times a week. Its pretty great. Classes are moderately chalenging, and usually quite interesting. I think you would like it a lot. Keep it in mind when oyu begin to look at colleges!! Ok, its lateish and I’m going to bed. Love, Sonja